Anticoagulants in heart disease: current status and perspectives

Drugs interfering with blood coagulation are a mainstay of cardiovascular therapy. Despite their widespread use, there are a number of unmet needs for current parenteral and oral anticoagulants in cardiovascular diseases. This therapeutic area is undergoing unprecedented changes with the clinical introduction of new drugs. This document, initiated by a committee appointed by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Working Group on Thrombosis, intends therefore: This document is intended to follow-up on the Task Force Document on the use of antiplatelet agents in cardiovascular disease, proposed by the committee of experts appointed similarly by the ESC Working Group on Thrombosis1 and is intended to be regularly updated. The Writing Committee of this document has decided against issuing graded recommendations on the use and dosing of drugs, because this might conflict with the task of guidelines, some of which are being finalized at the same time by the ESC. ### Haemostasis When a blood vessel is damaged, the site of disruption must be rapidly sealed to prevent blood loss. Haemostasis requires the formation of an impermeable platelet and fibrin plug at the site of injury. Preventing clot propagation through the …